"But
don't be anxious about me. I can stay here with Mrs. Ellis if I can't hear
of anything I like better. But I will speak to Miss Desborough to-morrow."
As it happened, however, Rhoda did not see Clare next day. When she
arrived at the flat, she found that Lady Desborough had reached town the
day before, and had taken her daughter for a day's shopping with her,
preparatory to their journey into Lincolnshire.
It was Rose who told Rhoda this. Mrs. Richards had gone out to buy some
chops for dinner, and Rose opened the door. Rhoda thought her the
prettiest creature she had ever seen in her life. She had a blue dress on
and a white cooking apron, and her yellow hair was brushed loosely back
from her face and fastened in a loose knot.
"Miss Desborough has left some letters for you to answer," she said to
Rhoda pleasantly. "Can you do them at the side table? I am cooking in the
sitting-room this morning. It was so hot in the kitchen. Miss Smythe will
be in presently. She has a message for you from Clare."
It was rather difficult to work at the side table, which was small and
decidedly rickety; but Rhoda made no objection. She found her eyes
wandering now and then to Rose, who had gone back to her pastry, and was
spending many puzzled glances on the cookery book that was propped open
before her.
"I mean to write a cookery book one day," she exclaimed presently, in a
tone of deep disgust.
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